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Music Can’t Worship

Music cannot worship! There is, therefore, no worship music. Having said that, music can be one way in which we express worship. Lest you think that I’m splitting hairs, I’m concerned that we don’t settle for the means of expressing worship in place of worshiping. There are those who think that music is needed to get us “in the mood” to worship. Let’s not think for a moment that we can’t worship without music. On the other hand, what a gift music is! Imagine the removal of all music from our churches. It would be a serious loss indeed! Lyrics often give language to what we feel, but can’t find words to express. Musical instrumentation lifts our spirits or calms us to approach God with reverence. Music can be a wonderful aid in expressing praise and trust. God gave us this wonderful gift! Psalm 150, Verses 1-2 exhort us to praise. Verses 3-5 speak of the means: “Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the psaltery and harp. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance: praise Him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals.” Finally, Verse 6 gives us the Person to be praised. In the hymn “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven,” Henry Francis Lyte wrote, “Angels in the height, adore Him, ye behold Him face to face; sun and moon bow down before Him, dwellers all in time and space: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise with us the God of grace.” Selah! When music celebrates the musicians’ talents, or even the composers’ talents, it has become an affront to God, Who said, “I am the LORD: that is My name: and My glory will I not give to another.” (From Isaiah 42:8). Let’s be careful to exalt Him and not man! Ron